It’s springtime in Texas! How do I know for sure? Firstly – my sinuses are in a constant war with pollen, but more importantly, my timeline is filled with adorable pictures of families in fields of bluebonnets. I love to see them, but I will never take any. Ever. Why? That’ll take a bit of explanation.
Before we get too far into the weeds, I wanted to tell you about another list I keep. I haven’t shared it here yet, but may at some point. I call it my “Nope List.” It contains all the things that I wish didn’t exist, hate to encounter or don’t ever want to do. At the top of that list – snakes. I hate them. Please spare me the lesson on the rodent controlling benefits of snakes. I’m fully committed to my ophidiophobia (fancy word speak for fear of snakes) and my healthy level of loathement (check out my neurological skills) for the slimy, slithery, enemy of man. You can spare me the list of how they contribute to the planet – I simply am unaffected by any defense of snakes. My son has wanted a snake for years and told me he’ll eventually get one. To which I informed him that it would be a surefire way to keep me from ever setting foot in his home. He doesn’t have a snake – yet. I’m taking that as a good sign.
So what does this have to do with bluebonnet pictures? That’s an easy answer – rattlesnakes love bluebonnets too. This makes bluebonnets “Nope List” adjacent thus removing them from my list of activities. I had to educate my girl child about rattlesnakes when she decried her lack of wildflower pictures from her childhood. They simply weren’t an option. She seemed mollified by my explanation, but I’m pretty sure she wishes she had some of those of herself. I told her when she had kids she could get some taken with them. But I won’t be there to help, or participate. Noppity nope nope nope!
So there you have it, the reason you will never find me traipsing through a field of gently blowing bluebonnets. And why my children missed a hallmark of a Texas childhood. Maybe someday I’ll try my hand at photoshopping some pictures of my toddlers into a patch of bluebonnets. Or not. That sounds like entirely too much work!
How about you? Did you know that rattlesnakes like the Texas state flower? If not, I’m sorry and you’re welcome. Are there any experiences your children missed/skipped because of your own hang up, or in my case, healthy life choice? Tell us about them in the comments.
Before you leave, please don’t forget to like, share and, if you haven’t already, subscribe – that way you never have to miss a post. Thanks!
Shannon R. Brown 